Job Description

Program Manager, Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required

This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime

WHO WE ARE
Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees. 

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community. 

WHO YOU ARE

Explore Schools seeks a dedicated school operations professional who excels at project management, and providing high-level support to leaders. You have a combination of experience and interest in providing support and maintaining strong systems for instructional and operational needs. You are extremely detail-oriented, an excellent relationship-builder, and skilled at presenting information to audiences in ways that are easy to digest. The ideal candidate is proficient in Excel and enjoys working in an environment where you get to take initiative and roll up your sleeves. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced

• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues

• Strong project manager: proven track record of managing multiple projects, and tracking progress

• Exceptional communication skills: clear and concise delivery with approaches that consider audiences

• Savvy relationship manager: ability to manage up, hold peers and leaders accountable, and motivate others

• Experience working with data: cleaning up and maintaining systems, communicating complex information into easy-to-digest presentations

• Flexible can-do attitude: willingness to provide support as needed, excited to support the instructional team through different ad-hoc projects

• Highly organized, and strong attention to detail

• Excel proficiency; preferred

• A minimum of 3 years of experience, preferred

• Bachelor’s degree; required

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Program Manager, you will work in the Operations team at a school and collaborate closely with leadership to create and enforce strong systems that provide school support and manage assessments and data. This work will include managing broad school operational and instructional projects, as well as providing staff trainings around assessments and data management.

• Collaborate with teachers and instructional leaders to align on operational support needed, maintaining strong relationships

• Implement necessary systems and operational support for the instructional team, communicating clearly and meeting deadlines

• Manage and share scholar data with teachers, leaders, families and students, includes: student information system, performance data (IAs) testing information, assessments, enrollment data, gradebooks, report cards, etc.

• Lead staff training for student information systems, assessments, gradebooks, and student data analysis

• Manage internal and external communication structures, including creating and managing family communication

• Coordinate testing administration, scoring, and data analysis for internal assessments and state exams

• Work with instructional team to create and disperse school schedules

• Manage implementation of digital curriculum and platforms for students and staff

• Additional operational duties: manage special projects, support tech needs, manage field trips, coordinate student transportation, coordinate coverage and substitutes, support student recruitment and enrollment, cover main office, work with parents, lunch/recess duty, other special projects as needed

• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversations in order to dismantle white supremacy culture

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools staff members receive a competitive salary, paid time off including network shutdown days, considerable matching of retirement contributions, and more.

• The salary range for incoming Program Managers is $60,000 to $85,000. This is our good faith range at the time of posting.

• Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.

• Because we value staff members staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges and this is the range for incoming staff members only.

• This is base salary and does not include additional compensation opportunities, such as signing bonuses, additional time worked pay, stipends, leadership opportunities, and additional pay for specialized certifications and advanced degrees.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more!

• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities

• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment

• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning

• Our school-based staff also receive:

• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals

• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition

• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days a week when possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Explore Schools is a network of charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required

• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.

• The standard work week is 45 hours, though at times you may work more.

• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.

• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.